NIC releases assessment to prepare UK for EVs and AVs

The UK government, energy regulator Ofgem and local authorities should enable the rollout of charging infrastructure to allow close to 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030, says The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). The NIC has published its National Infrastructure Assessment to set out a long-term vision for sustainable economic infrastructure and help prepare the UK for the growth of EVs and autonomous vehicles. NIC’s assessment recommends Ofgem to regulate the interaction between EV c
July 16, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The UK government, energy regulator Ofgem and local authorities should enable the rollout of charging infrastructure to allow close to 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030, says The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).


The NIC has published its National Infrastructure Assessment to set out a long-term vision for sustainable economic infrastructure and help prepare the UK for the growth of EVs and autonomous vehicles.

NIC’s assessment recommends Ofgem to regulate the interaction between EV charge points and the electricity network as well as work with the government to set minimum standards for a network of interoperable, smart charge points. In addition, Ofgem should commission electricity network operators to work with charge point providers to identify potential investments required to accommodate charging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the report calls on the government to require local authorities to collaborate with charge points providers to allocate 5% of their parking spaces by 2020 and 20% by 2025 which may be converted to EV charge points.

For rural and remote areas, the NIC believes the government should subsidise the provision of rapid charge points by 2022.
 
The government should establish a centre for advanced transport technology in the 1837 Department for Transport to bring together work on technological innovation and ensure it is central to future investment proposals, the NIC adds.

David Beddell, chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering's road group, urges the government to follow through with the investment needed to future-proof UK roads.

“The assessment has highlighted the need for subsidies to help the spread of charging points in rural areas and targets for local authorities to bring electric charging to their parking spaces,” Bedell adds.

Bedell also welcomes the creation of a centre for advanced transport technology to ensure a smooth transition for connected and autonomous vehicles.
 
“On a broader level, we welcome the autonomy the report recommends to devolved administrations, which will help ensure funding is directed to where it is most needed at a regional level for all infrastructure projects, including roads,” Bedell concludes.

UTC

Related Content

  • April 17, 2015
    CEF funds to be used for EFSI ‘only as a last resort’
    Parts of the European Commission’s proposals for the European Fund for Strategic Investments, which foresee the reallocation of US$3.5 billion from the Connecting Europe Facility to provide a part of the US$17 billion for the guarantee fund should be deleted, Transport MEPs suggested in their opinion approved on Tuesday. This target amount should instead be met by gradual budgetary commitments to the guarantee fund to be decided in the frame of the annual budgetary procedure, they add. Instead of cuttin
    Read More
  • October 26, 2017
    Section speed enforcements gains global converts
    As the benefits of section speed enforcement are becoming clearer, the technology is gaining converts worldwide. Colin Sowman reports. America’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for urgent action from both road authorities and the federal government to combat speeding which has been identified as one of the most common factors in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. This new call follows the publication of a safety study which found that between 2005 through 2014, 31% of all
    Read More
  • October 23, 2018
    Addison Lee and Oxbotica to implement AV services in London by 2021
    Addison Lee has partnered with self-driving vehicle software company Oxbotica in a bid to bring autonomous ride-sharing services to London by 2021. Addison Lee, a UK private taxi hire firm, says it will also explore opportunities to provide corporate shuttles, airport and campus-based services. Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee, says: “By providing ride-sharing services, we can help address congestion, free space used for parking and improve urban air quality through zero-emission vehicles.” The partners
    Read More
  • November 24, 2017
    The Middle East takes lead in urban mobility
    Ralf Baron, Thomas Kuruvilla, Morsi Berguiga, Michael Zintel, Joseph Salem and Mario Kerbage from Arthur D. Little explain why there is much to be learned from the Middle East about the rapid evolution of transport systems. The rapid urbanisation across the globe is leading to mobility challenges as cities struggle to ensure their populations can move around freely using both public and private transport. Solving these issues is critical to ensuring that cities thrive and attract the investment and
    Read More

Highlighted Content